A LOTTERY launched over the weekend is expected to boost National Eisteddfod funds by up to £50,000 a year.

The National Eisteddfod Council committed itself to the weekly Hapnod Lottery last summer.

But the launch was delayed until 250 members were enrolled.

Director Elfed Roberts said last night: "We've now enrolled the minimum number to enable the £1 weekly lottery to be a worthwhile exercise.

"And £125 in prize money will be on it's way to this week's three prizewinners of £100, £15 and £10, with the remaining £125 credited to the Eisteddfod's own funds."

The first ever Hapnod prizewinners live in Carmarthen, Bala and Caernarfon.

Each week's prizewinning numbers will be announced in the Daily Post's Eisteddfota column each Wednesday.

Eisteddfod bosses say they are prevented under the Data Protection Act from publishing the names of the winners.

Mr Roberts added: "Our aim is to enrol a minimum of 2,000 members paying £1 a week by standing order or cheque enabling us to pay £1,000, and hopefully more, weekly in prize money. "This would bring in a most welcome £50,000 annually to the Eisteddfod.

"By joining the Hapnod Lottery you can support the Eisteddfod and have a chance of winning a cash prize."

Each £1 weekly entry entitles the holder to a six digit number, the winning numbers being randomly selected by computer each week.

The holder must pay in advance either by standing order or cheque, and only paid up members will be able to participate in each draw.

Those taking part can have as many numbers as they like but all players must be aged 16 years or over.

With 250 people already enrolled in the lottery, Mr Roberts hopes many of the Eisteddfod's 2,200 court members will soon be signing up.

But he added: The lottery is open to everyone, the aim being to reach that magical 2,000 over the coming weeks, enabling us to increase the prize money as membership increases.

"We don't intend limiting the lottery to 2,000 members.

"And once we reach that target we will concentrate on attracting more members which, in turn, will generate more in prize money as well as more income for the Eisteddfod."

Eisteddfod court president Dr R Alun Evans said: "The lottery is seen as a means of generating extra income at a time the Eisteddfod is in real need of such income. It will also be a stable avenue of raising money."